The U.S. men’s national team faces its toughest test yet in Concacaf Gold Cup play on Sunday, and although the Americans recently got the better in their last showdown with Canada, they know a rejuvenated squad will oppose them in Cincinnati.
B.J. Callaghan’s squad defeated Canada 2-0 in the Concacaf Nations League Final last June, earning a third trophy over the past three year. However, only goalkeeper Matt Turner returns from June’s starting lineup, while many new faces have excelled during group stage play this month.
Canada needed a 4-2 group stage finale victory over Cuba to clinch a knockout round berth, but Callaghan isn’t doubting the Canadians ability to pull a shock Sunday night at TQL Stadium.
“They’re a well-coached team,” Callaghan said during Saturday’s press conference. “They’re a World Cup-level opponent, so this is exactly the type of match that we want to challenge our group with.”
Similar to the USMNT, Canada head coach John Herdman made plenty of roster changes coming into the Gold Cup while giving his European stars a break before the new club season. There are still plenty of experienced players in the Canada squad though with midfielder Jonathan Osorio, forwards Junior Hoilett and Lucas Cavallini, and defenders Richie Laryea and Steven Vitoria all eclipsing 30 international caps or more.
Canada has posted a 2-1-3 record against the USMNT in its last six head-to-head showdowns, which has certainly changed the narrative in the rivalry across all competitions.
“We’re not looking at it as anything more than just the team that we have to play to get to the semifinal – that’s sort of been like our messaging around the camp,” goalkeeper Matt Turner said of Canada. “We understand that there’s a developing history there, games that have gone both ways. We’re not taking anything for granted. We know it’s gonna take a great effort to get the result that we want.”
“We’re treating it like it’s just [another opponent] instead of a derby,” USMNT midfielder Djordje Mihailovic said. “We respect them, of course. We know the quality with their coach and the quality of the players. But for us, we’re focusing on what we’re bringing to the field and how we’re going to perform instead of what this game means for them.”
The USMNT has rebounded from an opening night draw with Jamaica by steamrolling Saint Kitts and Nevis and Trinidad & Tobago by a combined score of 12-0. Jesus Ferreira has led the way with six goals scored, while defenders Jalen Neal and DeJuan Jones, and midfielder James Sands have also been among the positive performers over the group stage.
Callaghan has provided plenty of opportunities for his entire squad so far this summer and although many came into camp from the end of their European seasons or the middle of their MLS campaigns, he praised the growing chemistry between his players with the current stakes getting higher.
“Leading into the Jamaica match, we had three days of training,” Callaghan said. “Guys were coming basically from all over – coming from MLS clubs, coming from [European] offseasons. So I would say the biggest improvement has just been the connection of the group, on and off the field.”
“Qué linda …”
Bad miss from Vasquez, but nice penalties from Cowell and Busio, and a close call but into the net from Ferreira..
At least one good save from Turner. Thank you, Arsenal.
Whew.
MOTM=Matt Turner. Talk about coming up big in the shootout.
Yikes. Quite a run from Shaffelburg from a turnover in midfield, past several defenders. 1-2.
Roldán on for Reynolds; Balboa agrees he’s the most secure for defense and penalties.
Whew. 2-2 after a series that I didn’t fully see, apparently in off a defender?
The stadium in Cincinnati had apparently gone very quiet before that.
Good to see quite a few Guatemala fans have stuck around to cheer the US as well. Someone saw a family with a split flag, half Guatemala, half USA, which seems nice.
And the Canadian goal was from an MLS player, the league as a whole still getting stronger.
Penalties, Ferreira with a possible groin pull, if I heard right, (“ingle”?)
Canada 2 USMNT 1……smh, wow
Canada 2 USMNT 2
120 mins
Penalties
Report of Tolkin, Roldan, Yueill, Yedlin warming up at the end of the first 15 minutes of overtime.
Somebody wrap a bungee cord around Miles.
Miles Robinson…..is he playing for Canada?! I can understand one handball in the box as a national team center back but two??!!!
WTH
Wow. ‘Servicio mágico’ from DeJuan Jones, whom I had hardly heard of, to a nice header from Vasquez. 1-0.
But now there’s a handball from Robinson. Vitoria to take …
1-1.
Well, it’s suddenly more exciting.
Giannone reports, if I heard correctly, that there are now games with Germany and Ghana planned to follow the ones with Uzbekistan and Oman. (-:
Just after I said not enough shots on goal, Busio had a pretty decent one, and subs Cowell and Vasquez seem to have brought a little more energy.
Who thinks this is going to extra time?
So apparently there isn’t a live blog?
I’m watching in Spanish because someone else is watching PBS on the main TV, so I’m not catching everything, and I missed the first several minutes including the broken nose of the assistant ref. But things seem tense in the second half, with Callaghan reportedly angry in the team talk, perhaps especially at the midfield, plus a report of Miazga in a tunnel altercation with a Canadian assistant. There have been some dangerous-looking moments, including a clearance by Reynolds (?) that could easily have been an own goal.
The guys seem to be hoping they take out Zendejas, who has had a disappointing tournament, and maybe also Gressel, in favor of Cowell, Vasquez, … ?
They’re also hoping at least for another shot or two on goal. *yawn*
I have to wonder if this is the kind of game that calls for Jesus to move to the 10 and bring in Vasquez
The US is playing too slowly, taking too many touches. That gives Canada the ability to pressure without having to work very hard. Also in the first 15 minutes the US made several bad passes that should have been punished.
The US need to play quicker.
To quote Tac, this is soccer terrorism.
Who kicked the ball?
Commentary would be crazy… delay of game – ref hit by the ball @ point blank range in ‘1.
I hope there’s a running commentary tomorrow night
If not we can just make this article the spot for it.